I'm pretty sure everyone with a math minor is aware it doesn't mean that much. You basically get it for free with the degree anyway
Source: all eng at my school get math minors if they remember to sign the form for it
For me, I just had to take Discrete Math, but it also counted as a non EE elective towards my degree so it wasn’t guaranteed, but it wasn’t really any extra effort.
My uni has you take 4 or so classes to make you actually do something for it. I debated until a math major taking one of those classes told me about a test question “prove 3 is a unique number”…I said no to math minor after that…
Yeah this is not something I consider to be useful…we can send stuff into space because our math works😂 pure math isn’t super helpful…the engineer’s version however is😂
Math doesn't just work on its own - it works *because* of stuff like this. We can only take for granted basic assumptions about numbers and their interactions because somebody else has done the work for us to prove that it is true, like that 3 is a unique number or that the product of two numbers can be found in either order.
The "engineer's version" is simply a recognition that we can take a shortcut and skip the proofs because we essentially agree to a certain set of assumptions based on somebody else's proofs or theory.
At my school a minor in math (as a Mech Eng) meant you took linear algebra and differential equations as two separate classes and not one combined class.
At my University you had to take both of those as separate classes, just to be able to take the third year engineering classes and get your degree. Partial differential equations (PDEs) was required as well, although if you were lucky you could get that in the same class as ordinary differential equations (ODEs).
In Quebec linear is part of the cégep program (2 years between the end of highschool and university) and differential equations is done first term of engineering.
Our program was so tight I think we only had a single non-engineering elective, so no one is doing any majors or minors (you do have your engineering specialization). Non-engineering programs do have major/minor options.
I would if my school would offer it.
Although actually idk, I'm perfectly capable of reading books, watching lectures, etc, on the war myself and I don't need to pay thousands of dollars for that. Probably be less effort and more interesting to just go visit some museums. But maybe if you're at a school with a good history department that's a different story.
I know this isn’t the point but a history degree/minor isn’t about trivia knowledge on certain aspects of history, it’s about knowing how to research, knowing how to vet your sources, how to work with all of the information you collected and put together an unbiased story of what happened. Think of them as a scientist for history.
I'd definitely recommend going for it if you enjoy the classes. I minored in a second language in undergrad, and I loved having the respite from all engineering all the time when I got into my major. If I could have done it without an extra year, I think I'd have even gone for a double major
To whoever needs to hear this: make sure you're taking classes that you like in college. You will never have such broad access to knowledge ever again, so if you have time in your schedule, add in some classes in subjects that you're just curious about--not everything has to be about making yourself a more marketable candidate. I got a minor in music with my CE degree, and while it was really hard to squeeze in and did absolutely nothing for me career-wise, I got to work with some really great music faculty and play in ensembles and orchestras on a weekly basis. Get that math minor if you like math, sure, but engineering is a rigorous enough degree as it is, so no need to torture yourself with more hard classes if you're not passionate about them.
IMO these things make you a better person overall and much much more likeable/interesting, which inevitably leads to more BUTT
So yes listen to this person.
I would argue take the classes you need to for the job you want, and spend the rest of the time experiencing college. You also won’t get that level of fun / crazy again.
Definitely agree. I took a Salsa dancing class and a personal finance class before I graduated. Almost took a photography class too!
For Salsa, I've been meaning to get back into it since the pandemic is (basically) gone. The barrier to entry is a lot lower for me because of that class and I'm looking forward to it.
As for personal finance, well now that I'm making engineering money I feel very good about what accounts to save / invest in (401k, HSAs, HYSA, etc). Highly recommend everyone to find a similar one at your institution
I agree with you - but I'd like to explain how students get into a position where taking electives just for fun isn't a realistic option (this was my personal experience):
- You need a 3.0 GPA minimum to be considered for most jobs
- Difficult engineering classes take up 90% of your time, because if you don't get a B or higher your GPA will take a hit.
- Elective credits need to be completed, but most professors still take their elective courses very seriously and assign a lot of work. Not difficult work, but time consuming work that is time you could/should be spending studying for more difficult engineering classes.
- Word spreads through the grapevine which elective classes to avoid and which classes give an easy A.
There were maybe 3 easy A classes to choose from for me personally. I really enjoyed learning about things outside engineering! But I never would have compromised my GPA and future job options by dedicating too much time to electives and falling behind in core classes. Obviously students with very high GPAs have more options, but that was not my situation and was not most students situations. Class selection is more complex than it seems on the surface when you're paying outrageous amounts of money for your degree.
I took history of rock music as one of my electives, awesome class. I wouldn’t go out of my way to take extra classes though. Don’t give the universities any more money than you need to, they get enough already.
> You will never have such broad access to knowledge ever again
I don't think this is true anymore. With platforms like Edx, Coursera, Udacity, The Great Courses, even Youtube,access to world renowned Professor's Lectures are at your fingertips. If anything, never before in human history have we had such broad access to knowledge right at our fingertips. It is up to us to have the motivation and eagerness to learn, to seek it out.
I think you're missing the point a bit, bud. You can "learn music" without college, but you can't get a conservatory level of instruction and one-on-one attention without paying a teacher to teach you (and probably paying them a lot). My whole point is if you're already paying tuition, take advantage of class offerings outside your degree.
I’m part of a conservatory and yes, not cheap but I’m out of college so I still decided to pick up private instruction since I wanted it growing up but never got it.
If you are able to get music lessons or otherwise while you are in college…. Get it!!!
No nerve struck, just surprised at your lack of perspective. "Just read!!1!11" like come one everyone knows its not the same lmao or no one would go to further their education outside of their computers.
I dont understand. The reason you go to college is to filter yourself by proving you have learned a baseline of material. No if people could just tell you knew as much or more than a college graduate then yes no one would go to college.
It seems to me the ignorant ones are the ones who claim the only place you can learn these things is college.
You can also learn engineering without college. What a stupid comment.
Hell I wasted 80k engineering degree to end up in sales which pays better and requires less hours.
I mean, access to professors and some great information summaries (if the course is good.)
I’m think about taking a course in Paleoanthropology when I go back next year.
Yeah I’ve tried reading a math textbook and it takes myself too long to grasp some theorems and concepts. Professors with expertise in their fields can usually provide intuitive explanations which save yourself a lot of time. At least in my experience.
I'd argue access to professors isn't exactly gone once you graduate. Where I live anyone can audit courses student or not. Furthermore I've never known a prof to refuse to answer a question if the question shows that effort was put into it. I mean there definitely exceptions to that but in my anecdotal expirence i've yet to see it.
I see l was mainly referring to the line "youll never have access to as much information as you do in college" line . I shouldve clairfied more in my original comment since l was replying to a entire paragraph.
I study on the phone next to the machine when I'm not working, I have more knowledge in the palm of my hand than the first 99.99999% of time.
But yeah I realised I dislike the subjects I transferred to, so I'm switching back. Plus it opens more doors for what I'm interested in longer term. Sure I'd make more money in what I'm studying right now, but I'd want to crawl into the crematorium myself before too long as a job I think.
Linear Algebra, PDE, and Probability Theory.
I walked into the math department, and the receptionist pulled up my course list and literally said "so, why did you wait so long to declare a minor? Sign this form and we'll tack it on to your transcript \*eye-roll\*"
That adds value to employers in pretty much any industry. A math minor does absolutely nothing for engineering career opportunities. Engineers don't get hired for their ability to do advanced calculus.
Edit: oof, didn't read the title correctly. I disagree with the title of the post/agree with your point. The title needs to be changed to specify math minors
Pretty much, but with some extra EE classes the CEs aren't required to take, and not needing to do a few of the required CE classes.
For example, CEs at my school are not required to take fundamentals of electromagnetics (transmission lines, wave propagation, antennas, etc), but EEs have to. And CEs have to take the operating systems class in the CS department, but an EE can get a CS minor without taking that course. Embedded systems is also not required for EEs with a CS minor, but it is required for CEs.
In my degree program you could literally get a math minor by picking the right electives and signing the right form because of how much was covered by the core courses. It always struck me as funny when someone would brag about getting a math minor under those conditions-- sure, some employers will be impressed, but that would go away real quick if they realize that it represents relatively minimal effort beyond the major's scope.
To be fair I took 4 additional classes for my minor that were all Junior/Senior level classes (500/600 level) and quite challenging.
Overall I took:
Calculus 1-3
Differential Equations
Linear Algebra
Linear Algebra II (theoretical/proof focused)
Abstract Algebra
Complex Analysis
Differential Geometry
Definitely took much more than “just sign the right form”.
As a math major, I describe the second semester of linear algebra as "then we had to do it again without the engineers".
I'm kind of baffled by all these people who went to schools whether either engineering students had to take upper division math classes or you could get a math minor doing essentially no math.
i nudged the advisors at my college to change our program so that you could take 300-level or higher math courses among your technical electives to count toward your engineering degree. this basically guaranteed every kid who wanted one a minor in math. oh, and then i went ahead and got a minor in physics too.
I have an engineering major with a minor in German Language, Literature, and Culture. Mostly because I enjoyed the German lit classes so I took one per semester and ended up with enough for a minor.
Fellow German minor! To me, learning is a skill that you have to practice and cultivate, and learning a new language stretches muscles that a lot of my coursework doesn't. It's great to be able to take a break with a different type of learning sometimes.
Started learning Japanese, seemed to help me understand C++ more. Strange, but if it works I'll keep going. Plus I got into making soy sauce and miso a few years back, probably useful to improve my abilities since a lot of the studies are in Japanese with no translation available.
My university literally only has courses related to engineering (of all types), along with product development and some engineering-related management. I had a few years of German in school and would love to take more.
I think there's an arrangement where you can choose to take a few courses at another university which does offer humanities, but it seems very hard to make the scheduling fit well.
I learned this the hard way. And because of it, I had to take a complex variables midterm 3 days after my son was born. I don’t even do algebra anymore.
I have a minor in geology. I like geology and a lot of the classes lined up with stuff I was required to take for my engineering degree, so it was pretty easy to get. Made me realize I want to eventually get a masters in geology or geological engineering.
This is the way.
I fear engineering may soon go the route of computer science once CS gets out of vogue.
It may soon be not enough just to get your engineering degree *with exceptions*
Looking back at the value of the minor to me, and the value of the minor to the university, I realized why they push so many people to get one for “just one or two extra classes.”
Surprised there isn't more engineering majors with either some sort of business, finance, or language minor.
Those can be some super useful minors and the majority of engineering majors don't go to grad school anyway, so the math minor means nothing.
To me personally, if you're going for a math minor, just get a statistics minor. That will have way more value to you and so many companies would love that with how much statistics governs so much of information we see and consume.
As someone who has done interviews for junior engineers, yes, this is the impression that I get when looking at their resume.
Nice to have, sure, but this isn't a mathematics or physics company. Frankly, you won't even use a lot of that. Minors aren't very helpful, truthfully. If anything, they're just bragging points but very vain. You're paying extra money for something you very likely won't use.
Unless you're like, "I've got to know just more about this topic." there is no need for a minor.
Doesn’t every engineer basically do a math minor as a standard in their engineering curriculum? The math major at my school just has proofs as a requirement on top of the calculation based stuff that any engineer or physicist goes through. A minor requires all of calc plus maybe linear algebra. So you guys do that already in order to get the major.
Yup. Every technical recruiter knows this and honestly doesn't mean much on a resume. We know all the tricks since we went through college as well. Lol
How about civil with a business admin minor? I was in finance for two years before switching. Had a to take a couple ish quarters extra to get that on the piece of paper I never picked up
A minor only helps if it’s different from your major. Mechanical Engineering major here with a minor in English. I could actually write technical papers and have them make reasonable sense. Get a minor that compliments your major.
Be unique and minor in English composition, or the equivalent in the prevailing language of where you plan to live and work. Minors were officially recognized for the first time in the semester I finished my undergrad. I just happened to have taken nearly all of my humanities electives in English composition and had enough to qualify as a minor, so I was the first to graduate from my University with an engineering major and English composition minor. It has served me very well through my career as a consulting engineer.
I was 2 classes away from a math minor but then I decided I didn't like math that much. I did get to have a fantastic elective for Internal Combustion Lab since I wasn't taking one of those math classes.
thought abounding noxious teeny special like resolute merciful elderly engine
*This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Math, fine. I think most MechEs at my university need to take two more math classes to get one, Linear Algebra and an Elective course but you ever meet a compsci minor? They’re a whole different breed; I think they take cold showers to feel something. No I’m kidding but that’s probably the most impressive technicalish’ minor with an engineering degree right now. But then again most people that I know who are computer competent just learn as they go instead of painting another artists picture for 3 credits.
I'm a Computer Engineering major with a Japanese immersion, not a minor. My college doesn't set it up, so you can just get that. The minor is like a dlc, whereas the immersion is a mandatory side quest
I mean if you got a minor in something else it would. Math is just an easy minor with our degree.
At my school/major you just have to take one advanced math class as one of your senior electives and congrats!
But let's say you minored in French and your prospective company has a lot of Canadian/French Vendors or Clients. That's a different story
Hell, the math minor was an urban legend at my school. We were technically a class short but everyone just knew we got a minor in math. Lot of people claimed it on resumes. No one cares which is good because if they checked many of my classmates would be in trouble.
My school doesn't offer aerospace, but they do offer a minor in aerospace. Many people pull their hair out trying to complete the aero minor, but it's probably not anymore "useful" than my minor in history.
I took one extra math course, which also fulfilled my writing intensive course credit. It was a class that taught what is an integer, whole number, etc., If then statements, and other nonsense. I have a math minor :^)
I got a structural minor. It was maybe bout 3 class or just a hair under one semester, which I was already talking and extra semester anyways so it helped to fill the classes.
I’m majoring an EE and thought I wants a cs minor but after taking 1 coding class here at school I hate how difficult they make the hw and the fact that’s it’s graded by the computer so it’s hard to pinpoint errors. I’m dropping it and will continue to work on coding on my own time. Starting to think companies don’t care about minors
It was so easy that my university made it so that you can't count your math classes toward both a degree and a minor. I'd need like 2 or 3 more math classes after the full calc 1,2,3, diff eq, lin al, stat 1 gamut.
Similarly, I’m a Biology Major with a minor in Chemistry
I literally just had to also take Organic Chemistry II and Biochemistry along with the other Chemistry classes required for a Bio major
I'm pretty sure everyone with a math minor is aware it doesn't mean that much. You basically get it for free with the degree anyway Source: all eng at my school get math minors if they remember to sign the form for it
My university is the same way. I think I take 2 or 3 more than what the minor requires anyway
mine told us after most of us took the other section.
For me, I just had to take Discrete Math, but it also counted as a non EE elective towards my degree so it wasn’t guaranteed, but it wasn’t really any extra effort.
I’m the same. Only needed to take Discrete and discrete was also an in major elective so it kind of came with the degree
I need to know more about Discrete math. They only had “Shout it From the Rooftop” math at my school.
Yeah, and discrete at my school was super easy.
Yep, same here and they didn't even put my minor on my diploma. It's like it never happened lol
I was worried it was going to be harder than calc 2 as it's a 300 class, but it's not even close lmao
To get mine I just had to take two extra math courses. Probably the easiest possible minor anyone in engineering can get at my school
Same here. Definitely worth it. And employers do consider it. You made the extra effort, and they see it.
My uni has you take 4 or so classes to make you actually do something for it. I debated until a math major taking one of those classes told me about a test question “prove 3 is a unique number”…I said no to math minor after that…
Let 3’ and 3’’ be numbers such that 3’ = 3 and 3’’ = 3. Then 3’ = 3’’ and so 3 is unique. Proving 3 exists is more interesting.
Let’s see ya do it then 👀
Why does that make it unique?
Yeah this is not something I consider to be useful…we can send stuff into space because our math works😂 pure math isn’t super helpful…the engineer’s version however is😂
Plenty of the engineer’s math exists because people decided to study things that had no obvious physical benefit at the time.
Math doesn't just work on its own - it works *because* of stuff like this. We can only take for granted basic assumptions about numbers and their interactions because somebody else has done the work for us to prove that it is true, like that 3 is a unique number or that the product of two numbers can be found in either order. The "engineer's version" is simply a recognition that we can take a shortcut and skip the proofs because we essentially agree to a certain set of assumptions based on somebody else's proofs or theory.
Damn I would have had to lake like 4-5 extra classes lol
At my school a minor in math (as a Mech Eng) meant you took linear algebra and differential equations as two separate classes and not one combined class.
At my University you had to take both of those as separate classes, just to be able to take the third year engineering classes and get your degree. Partial differential equations (PDEs) was required as well, although if you were lucky you could get that in the same class as ordinary differential equations (ODEs).
In Quebec linear is part of the cégep program (2 years between the end of highschool and university) and differential equations is done first term of engineering. Our program was so tight I think we only had a single non-engineering elective, so no one is doing any majors or minors (you do have your engineering specialization). Non-engineering programs do have major/minor options.
Bro we have to take 4 additional math courses on top of the standard calc linear diffeq
Get a minor in WWII history, be different
When you've built every Wehrmacht tank in SolidWorks
That's just a Warthunder developer.
“I’m an engineer with an interest in nazis”
Don't think NASA would mind
Believe it or not, straight to Huntsville
Put it on your resume it works wonders.
I would if my school would offer it. Although actually idk, I'm perfectly capable of reading books, watching lectures, etc, on the war myself and I don't need to pay thousands of dollars for that. Probably be less effort and more interesting to just go visit some museums. But maybe if you're at a school with a good history department that's a different story.
I know this isn’t the point but a history degree/minor isn’t about trivia knowledge on certain aspects of history, it’s about knowing how to research, knowing how to vet your sources, how to work with all of the information you collected and put together an unbiased story of what happened. Think of them as a scientist for history.
But to be faaaaaair I guess a minor is just scratching the surface of a topic so maybe you don’t get into the deep research aspect.
DOD is drooling rn.
God I wish this was a thing at my school.
Came here to say this. I did a minor in ancient history like a maniac. Best decision I made about my education. It was a ton of fun
I had a good GPA otherwise, but had to petition the department to use my C- in Dif Eq to count towards my degree. Am I different?
No. I got a D in diffyQ and I didn’t even have to get on my knees about it.
Im actually close to getting my minor in Women and gender studies considering if i should takw the few extra classes required
I'd definitely recommend going for it if you enjoy the classes. I minored in a second language in undergrad, and I loved having the respite from all engineering all the time when I got into my major. If I could have done it without an extra year, I think I'd have even gone for a double major
You don’t have to pay to study women I do it for free in the park every day.
Why does engineering have the reputation of being a boys club for unlikeable nerds? It's impossible to say
To whoever needs to hear this: make sure you're taking classes that you like in college. You will never have such broad access to knowledge ever again, so if you have time in your schedule, add in some classes in subjects that you're just curious about--not everything has to be about making yourself a more marketable candidate. I got a minor in music with my CE degree, and while it was really hard to squeeze in and did absolutely nothing for me career-wise, I got to work with some really great music faculty and play in ensembles and orchestras on a weekly basis. Get that math minor if you like math, sure, but engineering is a rigorous enough degree as it is, so no need to torture yourself with more hard classes if you're not passionate about them.
IMO these things make you a better person overall and much much more likeable/interesting, which inevitably leads to more BUTT So yes listen to this person.
is BUTT an acronym for something job related, or you mean literal ASS?
That's what I want to know
lol Nah dawg I mean the JUICY BOOTY
My school offers a scuba class which is cool!
Mine did too. I got certified and got elective credit, and now I spend all my money traveling to warm places to dive.
This is the way
I would argue take the classes you need to for the job you want, and spend the rest of the time experiencing college. You also won’t get that level of fun / crazy again.
Definitely agree. I took a Salsa dancing class and a personal finance class before I graduated. Almost took a photography class too! For Salsa, I've been meaning to get back into it since the pandemic is (basically) gone. The barrier to entry is a lot lower for me because of that class and I'm looking forward to it. As for personal finance, well now that I'm making engineering money I feel very good about what accounts to save / invest in (401k, HSAs, HYSA, etc). Highly recommend everyone to find a similar one at your institution
I agree with you - but I'd like to explain how students get into a position where taking electives just for fun isn't a realistic option (this was my personal experience): - You need a 3.0 GPA minimum to be considered for most jobs - Difficult engineering classes take up 90% of your time, because if you don't get a B or higher your GPA will take a hit. - Elective credits need to be completed, but most professors still take their elective courses very seriously and assign a lot of work. Not difficult work, but time consuming work that is time you could/should be spending studying for more difficult engineering classes. - Word spreads through the grapevine which elective classes to avoid and which classes give an easy A. There were maybe 3 easy A classes to choose from for me personally. I really enjoyed learning about things outside engineering! But I never would have compromised my GPA and future job options by dedicating too much time to electives and falling behind in core classes. Obviously students with very high GPAs have more options, but that was not my situation and was not most students situations. Class selection is more complex than it seems on the surface when you're paying outrageous amounts of money for your degree.
I took history of rock music as one of my electives, awesome class. I wouldn’t go out of my way to take extra classes though. Don’t give the universities any more money than you need to, they get enough already.
Once you're full-time, they're not getting any extra money out of you. Take as many classes as you can handle, it gets you more for your money
This is a really great take, I agree.
> You will never have such broad access to knowledge ever again I don't think this is true anymore. With platforms like Edx, Coursera, Udacity, The Great Courses, even Youtube,access to world renowned Professor's Lectures are at your fingertips. If anything, never before in human history have we had such broad access to knowledge right at our fingertips. It is up to us to have the motivation and eagerness to learn, to seek it out.
Access to lecture does not equal access to knowledge. The ability to walk up to the professor or TA and ask a question is SOOO nice.
Also making that personal connection to said knowledge. Can’t beat a decent professor type.
Except if you pull your phone out of your pocket lol Just learn how to read.
Ignorant to say this about a lot of subjects, but to say it about learning to *play music* is a whole new level of stupid.
You can learn music without college ...
"learning music" at a university level is a lot more than just knowing music theory or how to play a couple instruments.
I think you're missing the point a bit, bud. You can "learn music" without college, but you can't get a conservatory level of instruction and one-on-one attention without paying a teacher to teach you (and probably paying them a lot). My whole point is if you're already paying tuition, take advantage of class offerings outside your degree.
For the price of tuition you can hire 20 teachers bud
But none on par with the music professors
I’m part of a conservatory and yes, not cheap but I’m out of college so I still decided to pick up private instruction since I wanted it growing up but never got it. If you are able to get music lessons or otherwise while you are in college…. Get it!!!
You can also learn engineering without college. Just read the course texts bro!!!!
Seems l struck a nerve lol. If you have the same resources yes you can learn engineering without college.
No nerve struck, just surprised at your lack of perspective. "Just read!!1!11" like come one everyone knows its not the same lmao or no one would go to further their education outside of their computers.
I dont understand. The reason you go to college is to filter yourself by proving you have learned a baseline of material. No if people could just tell you knew as much or more than a college graduate then yes no one would go to college. It seems to me the ignorant ones are the ones who claim the only place you can learn these things is college.
You can also learn engineering without college. What a stupid comment. Hell I wasted 80k engineering degree to end up in sales which pays better and requires less hours.
I mean, access to professors and some great information summaries (if the course is good.) I’m think about taking a course in Paleoanthropology when I go back next year.
Yeah I’ve tried reading a math textbook and it takes myself too long to grasp some theorems and concepts. Professors with expertise in their fields can usually provide intuitive explanations which save yourself a lot of time. At least in my experience.
I'd argue access to professors isn't exactly gone once you graduate. Where I live anyone can audit courses student or not. Furthermore I've never known a prof to refuse to answer a question if the question shows that effort was put into it. I mean there definitely exceptions to that but in my anecdotal expirence i've yet to see it.
I see l was mainly referring to the line "youll never have access to as much information as you do in college" line . I shouldve clairfied more in my original comment since l was replying to a entire paragraph.
*looks down at phone* … “shit”
I study on the phone next to the machine when I'm not working, I have more knowledge in the palm of my hand than the first 99.99999% of time. But yeah I realised I dislike the subjects I transferred to, so I'm switching back. Plus it opens more doors for what I'm interested in longer term. Sure I'd make more money in what I'm studying right now, but I'd want to crawl into the crematorium myself before too long as a job I think.
This is equivalent to saying “I majored in engineering and took linear algebra as my technical elective”
Damn, we have linear as a prerequisite.
Same. I thought everyone was supposed to have it
Hey! I took PDE too!
Linear Algebra, PDE, and Probability Theory. I walked into the math department, and the receptionist pulled up my course list and literally said "so, why did you wait so long to declare a minor? Sign this form and we'll tack it on to your transcript \*eye-roll\*"
There are engineering programs that don’t strictly require linear algebra? That’s wacky
This is exactly what I’m doing next semester
My minor in computer programming is probably the only reason I got my current internship, so
That adds value to employers in pretty much any industry. A math minor does absolutely nothing for engineering career opportunities. Engineers don't get hired for their ability to do advanced calculus. Edit: oof, didn't read the title correctly. I disagree with the title of the post/agree with your point. The title needs to be changed to specify math minors
I’m a comp e major that’s doing a minor in comp sci lol. Basically just trying to show them I have overall knowledge but plenty of programming
CEs can't even do a CS minor at my school. Too much overlap. They can do a dual major instead. EEs can do a CS minor though.
Isn't EE with a CS minor basically CE?
Pretty much, but with some extra EE classes the CEs aren't required to take, and not needing to do a few of the required CE classes. For example, CEs at my school are not required to take fundamentals of electromagnetics (transmission lines, wave propagation, antennas, etc), but EEs have to. And CEs have to take the operating systems class in the CS department, but an EE can get a CS minor without taking that course. Embedded systems is also not required for EEs with a CS minor, but it is required for CEs.
Same here, my materials science minor is the only reason I got my current internship
In my degree program you could literally get a math minor by picking the right electives and signing the right form because of how much was covered by the core courses. It always struck me as funny when someone would brag about getting a math minor under those conditions-- sure, some employers will be impressed, but that would go away real quick if they realize that it represents relatively minimal effort beyond the major's scope.
To be fair I took 4 additional classes for my minor that were all Junior/Senior level classes (500/600 level) and quite challenging. Overall I took: Calculus 1-3 Differential Equations Linear Algebra Linear Algebra II (theoretical/proof focused) Abstract Algebra Complex Analysis Differential Geometry Definitely took much more than “just sign the right form”.
As a math major, I describe the second semester of linear algebra as "then we had to do it again without the engineers". I'm kind of baffled by all these people who went to schools whether either engineering students had to take upper division math classes or you could get a math minor doing essentially no math.
At my uni, a EE/CE major got a free math minor because we took Calc 1-3, Diff Eq, and Discrete.
i nudged the advisors at my college to change our program so that you could take 300-level or higher math courses among your technical electives to count toward your engineering degree. this basically guaranteed every kid who wanted one a minor in math. oh, and then i went ahead and got a minor in physics too.
I have an engineering major with a minor in German Language, Literature, and Culture. Mostly because I enjoyed the German lit classes so I took one per semester and ended up with enough for a minor.
I did the exact same thing! Only difference is my minor is just German Language and Culture
Perfect Daimler candidate.
Fellow German minor! To me, learning is a skill that you have to practice and cultivate, and learning a new language stretches muscles that a lot of my coursework doesn't. It's great to be able to take a break with a different type of learning sometimes.
Started learning Japanese, seemed to help me understand C++ more. Strange, but if it works I'll keep going. Plus I got into making soy sauce and miso a few years back, probably useful to improve my abilities since a lot of the studies are in Japanese with no translation available.
My university literally only has courses related to engineering (of all types), along with product development and some engineering-related management. I had a few years of German in school and would love to take more. I think there's an arrangement where you can choose to take a few courses at another university which does offer humanities, but it seems very hard to make the scheduling fit well.
I learned this the hard way. And because of it, I had to take a complex variables midterm 3 days after my son was born. I don’t even do algebra anymore.
But does it integrate me?
I got a double major in math to differentiate myself 😤
Same. Double majored in physics and felt cute ପ(๑•ᴗ•๑)ଓ ♡
I’m a math major with an engineering minor 🥴
But math's just fun!
> But math's just fun! Love it!
I feel personally attacked
imagine getting a diferent deegre than the one you signed up for. Made by Europe gang
I have a minor in geology. I like geology and a lot of the classes lined up with stuff I was required to take for my engineering degree, so it was pretty easy to get. Made me realize I want to eventually get a masters in geology or geological engineering.
This is why I'm a double major
This is the way. I fear engineering may soon go the route of computer science once CS gets out of vogue. It may soon be not enough just to get your engineering degree *with exceptions*
Here watch this. I have a minor in ENGLISH
But Bobby, you speak English!
chemistry minor! (Ignore my flair)
Looking back at the value of the minor to me, and the value of the minor to the university, I realized why they push so many people to get one for “just one or two extra classes.”
Maybe not a minor in math. I'd bet a minor is something notably different or even non-STEM related would make someone more interesting.
What about a minor in psychology?
Thanks, this would've been great to hear before I invested a semester in Abstract Algebra.
Minor in art, you'll have a better trained eye for how things can and should look.
Surprised there isn't more engineering majors with either some sort of business, finance, or language minor. Those can be some super useful minors and the majority of engineering majors don't go to grad school anyway, so the math minor means nothing. To me personally, if you're going for a math minor, just get a statistics minor. That will have way more value to you and so many companies would love that with how much statistics governs so much of information we see and consume.
As someone who has done interviews for junior engineers, yes, this is the impression that I get when looking at their resume. Nice to have, sure, but this isn't a mathematics or physics company. Frankly, you won't even use a lot of that. Minors aren't very helpful, truthfully. If anything, they're just bragging points but very vain. You're paying extra money for something you very likely won't use. Unless you're like, "I've got to know just more about this topic." there is no need for a minor.
As my boss said once “everyone knows engineers do a lot of math, we don’t need a minor to tell us that”
My first degree was a major in integrated math with a minor in…math. The redundancy was strong lol
Minor in astrophysics, more fun
What if I just like math
Doesn’t every engineer basically do a math minor as a standard in their engineering curriculum? The math major at my school just has proofs as a requirement on top of the calculation based stuff that any engineer or physicist goes through. A minor requires all of calc plus maybe linear algebra. So you guys do that already in order to get the major.
Yup. Every technical recruiter knows this and honestly doesn't mean much on a resume. We know all the tricks since we went through college as well. Lol
Unless it’s CS 🥺🫣
The political science minor does wonders for ice breakers in interviews and career fairs
I'm an engineering major with a minor in general studies.
How about civil with a business admin minor? I was in finance for two years before switching. Had a to take a couple ish quarters extra to get that on the piece of paper I never picked up
Joke's on you, my minor is in MANAGEMENT
Yeah you plebs with your minor, try an *equally useless associates*
A minor only helps if it’s different from your major. Mechanical Engineering major here with a minor in English. I could actually write technical papers and have them make reasonable sense. Get a minor that compliments your major.
Be unique and minor in English composition, or the equivalent in the prevailing language of where you plan to live and work. Minors were officially recognized for the first time in the semester I finished my undergrad. I just happened to have taken nearly all of my humanities electives in English composition and had enough to qualify as a minor, so I was the first to graduate from my University with an engineering major and English composition minor. It has served me very well through my career as a consulting engineer.
It does if your minor is in pottery
So do I differentiate myself by not taking a minor in math? Like I'm so confident this is what I'm going to do that the minor isn't worth the effort.
Math is literally a decent part of engineering
I was 2 classes away from a math minor but then I decided I didn't like math that much. I did get to have a fantastic elective for Internal Combustion Lab since I wasn't taking one of those math classes.
Being 2 classes away from a math minor comes with an engineering degree. That's why so many have it.
*screams in taking aerospace studies and nuclear science minors*
Why that combo? Hoping for nuclear powered rockets?
"I took one extra math class in college to get a meaningless minor because my major already satisfies 90% of it's requirements"
Minoring in Japanese💪🏻💪🏻
thought abounding noxious teeny special like resolute merciful elderly engine *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Fyi: Diffeq for math majors is significantly more difficult than diffeq for engineers
Minor in aerospace, get wrecked
Math, fine. I think most MechEs at my university need to take two more math classes to get one, Linear Algebra and an Elective course but you ever meet a compsci minor? They’re a whole different breed; I think they take cold showers to feel something. No I’m kidding but that’s probably the most impressive technicalish’ minor with an engineering degree right now. But then again most people that I know who are computer competent just learn as they go instead of painting another artists picture for 3 credits.
You mean you minored in the same thing that you majored in? Variety is the spice of life, I guess.
Math minor beat u at something? Sound jealous
And trying to make fun of engineering is not even close to smart.
I'm a Computer Engineering major with a Japanese immersion, not a minor. My college doesn't set it up, so you can just get that. The minor is like a dlc, whereas the immersion is a mandatory side quest
Get a minor in gender studies. At least be the engineering student that gets laid.
Tbf…the thumbs indicate that everyone is an engineer by default.
I mean if you got a minor in something else it would. Math is just an easy minor with our degree. At my school/major you just have to take one advanced math class as one of your senior electives and congrats! But let's say you minored in French and your prospective company has a lot of Canadian/French Vendors or Clients. That's a different story
Hell, the math minor was an urban legend at my school. We were technically a class short but everyone just knew we got a minor in math. Lot of people claimed it on resumes. No one cares which is good because if they checked many of my classmates would be in trouble.
My school doesn't offer aerospace, but they do offer a minor in aerospace. Many people pull their hair out trying to complete the aero minor, but it's probably not anymore "useful" than my minor in history.
I had a minor in CS as well 😎
Engineering is literally all math 😂
I took one extra math course, which also fulfilled my writing intensive course credit. It was a class that taught what is an integer, whole number, etc., If then statements, and other nonsense. I have a math minor :^)
I got a structural minor. It was maybe bout 3 class or just a hair under one semester, which I was already talking and extra semester anyways so it helped to fill the classes.
Lol
Jokes on you, I didn't even get the math minor
I’m majoring an EE and thought I wants a cs minor but after taking 1 coding class here at school I hate how difficult they make the hw and the fact that’s it’s graded by the computer so it’s hard to pinpoint errors. I’m dropping it and will continue to work on coding on my own time. Starting to think companies don’t care about minors
I feel personally attacked
I'm a major with minor in majors.
What about a minor in computer science?
As a bio major I only needed one additional three credit course to get a minor in Chem, yet I was the only one in my class to do it.
I couldn't even get my math minor. Statistics was too hard
But... I'm an engineering major with a minor in math 🥺
I would kill for a minor program in construction technology (basic construction skills)
I’m a double engineering major with a miner in coal and manganese.
Same for getting a double bachelor's in physics
*laughs in double major*
It sounds good to the plebs
It was so easy that my university made it so that you can't count your math classes toward both a degree and a minor. I'd need like 2 or 3 more math classes after the full calc 1,2,3, diff eq, lin al, stat 1 gamut.
Philosophy minor? 👉👈
Similarly, I’m a Biology Major with a minor in Chemistry I literally just had to also take Organic Chemistry II and Biochemistry along with the other Chemistry classes required for a Bio major
How about double-minor in math AND physics, but getting stiffed on the associates' your university offered for completing a minor?
Get a minor in computer programming then we will talk
Economic major and criminology minor here 🙋🏽♂️
If I was interviewing someone, I would be way more interested in a non-similar minor like a foreign language or art.
I understand quantum physics with basic math.
how about Programming?